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Faster, More Efficient, More Secure Local and Remote Deployment, Configuration and Updates Dell Lifecycle Controller simplifies server lifecycle management— from provisioning, deployment, patching and updating to servicing and user customization—for servers located both locally and remotely. It was delivered as part of the Dell Remote Access Controller or iDRAC (Express, Enterprise and vFlash) starting with Dell PowerEdge 11G servers. Lifecycle Controller includes managed and persistant storage that embeds systems management features directly on the server, thus eliminating the media-based system management tools and utilities traditionally needed for systems management. Lifecycle Controller reduces the time and number of steps taken to accomplish tasks, reduces potential for error, enhances server and application uptime and security, and results in more efficient IT management. Developed on the industry standard Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) platform and Web Services for Management (WSMan) interfaces, Lifecycle Controller provides an open environment for console integration that also allows for custom scripting for Lifecycle Controller. Leading systems management consoles (e.g., Microsoft® System Center Configuration Manager, BMC Software BladeLogic® Operations Manager, Symantec™ Deployment Solution, Dell™ Management Console) have integrated Dell Lifecycle Controller, thus offering its features and capabilities to existing infrastructures where those consoles are installed. Why did Dell develop Lifecycle Controller?When Dell examined common management tasks and the inefficiencies associated with them, we discovered something interesting – it wasn’t the tools that were making management tasks take so long, it was how they were delivered. The most common activities like provisioning, deploying, and updating required multiple tools, multiple forms of media and scouring the Web for the latest enablement tools, including drivers and firmware. This traditional delivery model resulted in inefficient use of time, a potential for error and potential exposure to security risks.
Third Party Studies by Principled Technologies System Administration Tasks: Comparison of Dell Lifecycle Controller 1.4 and HP Smart Updatehttp://www.principledtechnologies.com/clients/reports/Dell/Lifecycle_Controller_14_vs_SmartUpdate_0810.pdf Time Comparison for OS Deployment: Dell Unified Server Configurator Version 1.1 vs HP SmartStart version 8.25 x64http://www.principledtechnologies.com/clients/reports/Dell/DellUSCvsHPSmartStart.pdf
Embedded management is comprised of several aspects
Dell Lifecycle Controller Video Demonstrations
Scripting for the Dell Lifecycle Controller with WSMANLifecycle Controller Integration for Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (ConfigMgr)Updates using a USB key with Lifecycle ControllerDell CIM Profiles and MOF FilesUse Lifecycle Controller to remotely manage your server using WS-Management
Automating Server Firmware Updates Using Dell iDRAC with Lifecycle Controller — Securely, Efficiently, and Standards-based Outlines how to remotely update server firmware using iDRAC and Lifecycle controller by command line interface CLI and WSMAN. Also shows support matrix of what components may be updated.by Chris A. Poblete and Raja Tamilarasan
Configuring iDRAC6 for Directory ServicesInstructions for Setting Up iDRAC6 with Active Directory, Novell, Fedora, OpenDS and OpenLDAP Directory Services.by Babu Chandrasekhar, Arulnambi RajuPublic Key Infrastructure in iDRAC by Jeethendra TelaguUsing Dell vFlash by Cori Rizzo Deployment solution and Lifecycle Controller overviewBy Roopa Nagaraj, William Smith, Dominick Pisano, Anthony Stankovics, Jim DoughertyPrincipled Technologies report comparing USC 1 3 and HP SmartStart 8 30By Principled TechnologiesUnified Server Configurator: IT and Systems Management OverviewBy Shelli Allgood, Anand Narayanan, Hai Phung, Pritesh Prabhu, and Ganesh ViswanathanUnified Server Configurator Security OverviewBy Raja Tamilarasan, Wayne Liles, Marshal Savage, and Weijia ZhangCreating a USB Storage Device for UpdatesBy Scott HansonLifecycle Controller Remote Services OverviewUpdated for Lifecycle Controller 1.3 - Released December 2009By Jon Hass, Andy Butcher, and Raja TamilarasanDell CIM Profiles and MOF FilesUse Lifecycle Controller to remotely manage your server using WS-Management
11G Best Practice's GuideProvides sample workflows and corresponding scripts utilzing PYTHON By Steven ZessinLifecycle Controller 1.5 Web Services Interface Guide for Windows ( 9/8/2011 version 1.2 )Lifecycle Controller 1.5 Web Services Interface Guide for Linux ( 9/8/2011 version 1.2 )Updated for Lifecycle Controller 1.5 - Document released March 2011WinRM and WSMAN CLI examples for remote OS Deployment, Firmware Inventory and Update, Part Replacement Configuration, iDRAC, CNA/NIC, Boot/BIOS, Import/Export ProfilesBy Steven ZessinRepairing or Updating the Lifecycle Controller (LCC) and Unified Server Configurator (USC)By Dan RusekDell Auto-Discovery Network Setup SpecificationInstructions for setting up your network for Auto-Discovery and related troubleshooting informationScripting the Dell Lifecycle ControllerLearn how to use VBscript and PowerShell to execute WSMan commands to manage the Lifecycle ControllerUnleashing the power of vFlash in the Dell PowerEdge iDRACBy Corey Affield